‘Iconic is an over-used word but it does justice to the sleeve of the Sex Pistols’ God Save The Queen single, released in 1977 at the time of the Silver Jubilee. So what better way to celebrate the snotty power of punk than the Diamond Jubilee – complete with a re-release of the genre’s most famous anthem? This three-part documentary looks back at how it all kicked off in Britain when the New York Dolls hit London.

A Jubilee Tribute To The Queen By The Prince Of Wales, BBC1, 8pm

With the Diamond Jubilee imminent, tonight’s TV zooms in on the human face behind Queen Elizabeth II’s public smile. The BBC pulls out the big guns with an intimate family portrait of the Windsor clan by Prince Charles that features photos as well as footage filmed by the Queen. In contrast, Elizabeth: Queen, Wife, Mother (ITV1, 9pm) features Alan Titchmarsh doffing his cap to warm anecdotes from Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and William.

Prince Charles presents his own Jubilee tribute to The Queen (Picture: BBC)

The Graham Norton Show, BBC1, 10.35pm

Hollywood A-lister Charlize Theron drops by to whet our appetites for Alien prequel Prometheus, which is released today. She’s snuggling on Graham’s sofa with Steve Coogan – whose much-missed alter ego Alan Partridge returns to our TV screens this month on Sky Atlantic – and Jon Hamm, who as Don Draper is fast approaching the end of the current Mad Men road.

The Great British Story: A People’s History, BBC2, 9pm

In this amiable amble around the country with historian Michael Wood, we learn about the early Middle Ages, a time of bloody invasions involving Anglo-Saxons and Vikings. By putting the ancient words of long-gone citizens into the mouths of modern-day Brits, Wood forges a sense of shared identity across the ages.

Very Important People lampoons celebrities including Natalie Cassidy in its final episode (Picture: Channel 4)

Very Important People, C4, 9pm

This comedy impressions show starring Morgana Robinson and Terry Mynott has been a hit-or-miss affair, the caricatures often turning out stronger than the material. But when they get it right, as when Robinson gurns in uncannily accurate homage to ex-EastEnder Natalie Cassidy, it slams the funny bone square on. Let’s hope tonight’s final episode ends the series on a high

Film Choice: Brokeback Mountain, More4, 9pm

It was the shock upset of the 2006 Oscars when this so-called ‘gay cowboy’ movie missed out on Best Film, even though it still scooped Best Director for Ang Lee (Hulk, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), plus nominations for both its stars. Based on an E Annie Proulx short story and set in homophobic 1963 Wyoming, it sees Jake Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger play hired hands with more than sheep-herding on their minds. An achingly sad, subtle love story and a modern masterpiece